Iguana Iguana (Green Iguana)

Age: 15 to 20 years
Origin: Central and South America
Length: 150 to 200 centimeters
As the name suggests, this iguana is green in color, but gray-green and brown specimens also occur. Dark bands on the tail and often on the body break up the green color. They have a long crest from the back to the base of the tail. The head is blunt and there is a large dewlap hanging below.

Care
Experience: average lizard keeper
Food: Omnivore
Feed adult: 3-5 times a week
Feed young: Daily
Water bowl: Yes
Water change: Daily

Power supply
The diet of a Green Iguana consists mainly of leafy vegetables and fruit. The main component of the diet should consist of vegetables and can be supplemented with small amounts of fruit. Examples of vegetables that can be fed are cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, turnip greens, kale, watercress, pointed cabbage and lettuce. In terms of fruit, strawberries, banana, kiwi, tangerine, peach and orange are good fruits to feed. As with any species, variety in the diet is important.
For young animals, it is important for growth and development that animal food is also offered. There are iguana chunks available that meet the needs of the iguana. Young animals and pregnant women can be given 15% animal food, with other animals a maximum of 5%. An excess can cause kidney problems.
The food should be powdered with lime and vitamins to prevent health problems, about 0.5 grams per kilogram of body weight.

Water
A water bowl with fresh drinking water should be available in the terrarium at all times. Make sure it is big enough for them to bathe in. They also often defecate in the water, so it must be cleaned regularly.

Cleaning
As the hungry eaters that they are, they also defecate. For this reason, it is wise to remove the faeces from the enclosure every day, and to remove the dirty bedding once a week. In addition, it is wise to thoroughly clean the entire accommodation a few times a year, this prevents the accumulation of germs and bacteria.

Handling
The green iguana can be tamed, but patience is required. When they are not used to being handled they may flick their tail, scratch or bite. There is a risk of a tetanus infection from the bacteria in the mouth due to a bite. Only handle the iguana if he approaches you himself, when trust has been built up this should go better and better. Since they are large animals, it is necessary that they are properly held so that they do not fall.

Housing
Minimum size stay for 1 iguana: Minimum 200x100x200 centimeters
Lying area: 2m2
Day temperature: 25-30 degrees Celsius
Night temperature: 20-25 degrees Celsius
Hours of light: 12 hours a day
Humidity: 60-80% during the day, 80-100% at night
Bottom cover: cocopeat, bark, sand

Design
Large climbing branches must be present in the terrarium, Green Iguanas like to sit on a branch under the heat and UVB lamp. A number of hiding places in the enclosure are also important to ensure that the animal can sit out of sight to prevent stress.
The sun spot must be made on 1 side of the terrarium, in order to create a temperature gradation, so that the iguana can choose for itself where it will lie down. To create an optimal sun spot for large animals such as green iguanas, it is wise to make a sun spot with several lamps with a somewhat lower wattage so that the animal can lie with its entire body below it. A single heat and UV lamp of a high wattage can quickly cause burns to the animals.
The soil cover may be 20 to 40 centimeters deep so that it can absorb and release sufficient moisture to maintain the humidity level. It is also important that the enclosure is sprayed daily to maintain the humidity level.
All elements that are added to the enclosure must be firmly attached and cannot fall over, as the iguana is large and strong. If something falls, this can damage the animal.

Behaviour
Lifestyle: Tree-dwelling and diurnal

Character
Green iguanas are real sun worshipers and would therefore often be found on branches under the heat lamp. They can be tamed, but this takes time and work. They communicate with each other through body language such as head nods and scratching movements. They are quite sensitive to stress, so make sure they can hide if they want to.

Points of attention
Iguanas are group animals and it is recommended not to keep them alone. however, due to dominant behavior of males, it is not recommended to keep them together.

Cost and Purchase
Legislation: The green iguana falls under CITES II, to own this reptile species you need CITES or transfer papers. You hear this one